Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi Basilone, A Marine's Story: A Legacy of Service
Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi Basilone, A Marine's Story
Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913, in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the close-knit community of Gervais, where she graduated from Gervais High School. Independent and hardworking, she moved to the Los Angeles area after graduation and found employment as a canteen manager for the Moore Dry Dock Company. This role placed her right in the heart of the wartime industrial effort.
In 1943, Lena made a decision that would redefine her life: she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 5, joining the Women’s Reserve at a time when women Marines were still a brand-new concept. Trained as a field cook, she was assigned to Camp Pendleton, where she took on the demanding work of feeding Marine units preparing for deployment. Her competence and reliability earned her the respect of those she served alongside, and she rose to the rank of Sergeant.
It was at Camp Pendleton that she met Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, but Lena’s story does not end with their marriage; it simply continues. She remained in uniform for the duration of the war, completing her service honorably on January 23, 1946. Her dedication to the Marine Corps did not waver, even as she faced profound personal loss.
After leaving the service, Lena pursued secretarial training and worked in administrative roles throughout the Los Angeles area. She built a whole and independent life, rooted in service and community involvement. She volunteered with veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital and remained active in the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, continuing to support the military community long after her own time in uniform.
Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi passed away on June 11, 1999, and rests at Riverside National Cemetery. Her life reflects the quiet strength of a woman who stepped forward when her country needed her, served with dignity, and continued to give back for decades. She was a Marine, before, during, and after her marriage, and her legacy stands firmly on its own.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller based in Tontitown, Arkansas.
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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